Overview

Develop hybrid cloud architecture knowledge that today’s organizations rely on to run scalable, resilient systems. This course provides a comprehensive, hands-on pathway through advanced cloud networking, storage architecture, data management, and business continuity across hybrid and multicloud environments. You’ll explore global and regional network design, load balancing patterns, security layers, and interconnect options while learning how to diagnose performance, latency, and routing challenges. This course also guides you through object, block, and file storage models, as well as caching and tiering techniques and replication strategies that influence durability, cost, and global availability. You’ll examine lifecycle policies, compliance controls, and data governance practices, as well as disaster recovery frameworks, RPO/RTO planning, and real-world outage scenarios. In the final project, you'll take on the role of a hybrid cloud architect, identifying architecture shortcomings, proposing secure, high-performance, and cost-efficient hybrid cloud architecture solutions, and justifying your recommended solutions.

Syllabus

Advanced Cloud Networking

In this module, you will explore advanced cloud networking concepts that build upon the fundamentals. You'll learn about the configuration of layered security across subnets and firewalls, explore advanced load balancing and DNS strategies, and implement secure multicloud connectivity using VPNs, Direct Connect, and ExpressRoute. You'll also evaluate hybrid topologies such as hub-and-spoke and mesh networks, and practice diagnosing common latency, throughput, and cost bottlenecks across providers.

Storage Models in Practice

In this module, you will explore cloud storage models at an advanced level. You'll be able to compare the trade-offs for object, block, and file storage, not just in theory, but through their latency, durability, and throughput. You'll learn how to control costs and enhance performance using optimization strategies, including caching, tiering, and lifecycle policies. You'll also examine replication patterns, including synchronous versus asynchronous, and geo-distribution approaches across multiple providers. Then apply what you know when you complete a role-play analysis that requires classifying and mapping workloads to the correct storage model.

Data Management and Business Continuity

In this module, you'll focus on advanced data management and business continuity strategies in hybrid and multicloud environments. You'll gain actionable insights into how to apply disaster recovery architectures with clear Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) targets, implement high availability for SQL and NoSQL databases, and apply lifecycle policies for compliance, archiving, and sustainability. You'll also practice analyzing database scaling strategies, identifying hybrid cloud architecture issues, and recommending configurations for tiered Storage that adhere to compliance policies.

Final Project: Architecting a Resilient Hybrid Cloud System

In this module, you will integrate all the skills you've developed in the course to design a resilient, cost-optimized hybrid cloud architecture. You'll apply advanced networking, storage optimization, and business continuity strategies to a realistic case study. The project requires diagnosing performance and resilience challenges, selecting the right trade-offs, and justifying your design decisions. This module emphasizes practical application of your knowledge and demonstrates your ability to diagnose shortcomings, recommend solutions, and justify their use as a hybrid cloud architect would in a professional setting.